Islamic history unearthed beneath Portuguese castle ruins

The archaeological research in Almada, which has been ongoing for several years, is led by Prof. André Teixeira from the New University of Lisbon. He explained to the media that working at the 12th-century castle site presents numerous challenges due to a variety of factors. However, during excavations in the latter half of 2024, the team of archaeologists uncovered evidence of Islamic presence from before the 11th century along with two human skeletons.

"The materials we've discovered include fragments of the house's walls," explained archaeologist Telmo Antonio. "In this location, there was a residential building with walls containing stucco and lime mortar." He added that the ceramics found also indicate earlier habitation in this area by a Muslim population.

Scientists suspect that the castle in Almada might have been constructed at the end of the 12th century on the site of an earlier Arabic settlement. It is also hypothesized that Arabs settled on the remains of an earlier Roman settlement and even one inhabited by Iron Age peoples. Ruins of such structures have previously been found near the castle in Almada.

The major challenge for further excavation is that a Portuguese gendarmerie post is currently located on the site, where critical objects for research may be discovered. Additionally, ongoing renovations complicate the work, and the fact that the land has multiple owners further complicates matters.

Almada was recaptured in 1147 by forces commanded by King Afonso I of Portugal, known as Afonso the Conqueror. Recent archaeological findings underscore the city’s importance in Portuguese history and open new avenues for exploring its past.